Deakin psychology simulation team wins national Award for Teaching Excellence

The team, led by Dr Jade Sheen with Head of School of Psychology Professor Jane McGillivray and Associate Professor Wendy Sutherland-Smith, has spent the past six years pushing the boundaries of simulation-based education and virtual learning within postgraduate professional psychology courses.

Dr Sheen said their approach included the Deakin Psychology Virtual Clinic, which features more than 50 filmed simulated interviews with actors playing mental health patients, along with post-interview analysis to enhance student learning through direct observation and evaluation.

"Roleplaying and case-based learning has always been a traditional part of psychology and mental health education, but we've taken it to the next level with complex and scaffolded live simulations," Dr Sheen said.

"Our teaching methods are very diverse, and we've worked to put together a much more engaging and more interesting approach that ensures our students are as well prepared as they can possibly be for their post-University careers.

"The feedback from the program has been terrific - students are reporting that they're feeling much better prepared for clinical placements, which was our key objective."

The team is dedicated to bridging the gap between theory and practice, a divide that has been proven to lead to poor outcomes including low staff retention rates, stress, anxiety, feelings of inadequacy and, in extreme cases, threats to patient safety or risk of harm to students themselves.

"Our simulation-based education program, used effectively now for more than six years, is unique within the psychology discipline, offering an unparalleled depth and breadth of learning opportunities for students," Dr Sheen said.

Professor McGillivray said it was an honour to receive the Award for Teaching Excellence, which was presented Thursday, December 14, by Federal Minister for Education and Training Senator the Hon. Scott Birmingham.

"In the School of Psychology, we take great pride in the quality and innovation of our teaching," Professor McGillivray said.

"I am very proud to have the opportunity to work with colleagues who have such passion about authentic and evidence-based teaching, and being acknowledged for this work through this prestigious award is incredibly exciting for us, the School and the University."